Category: Tar Heels in the pros

Ashlyn Harris elected to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame

Ashlyn Harris joins Vince Carter as Tar Heels elected to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.

Former UNC goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris has been elected to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.

Harris joins dunking sensation Vince Carter, as one of the two Tar Heels to be elected to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. Harris joined UNC in 2005, and despite missing her first season due to ACL Knee surgery, she became instrumental to the Tar Heels’ success following that year.

In 2008 she was one half of the studded duo with Anna Rodenbough, combining 17 shutouts that season. Harris finished the year with nine goals allowed while making 28 saves for a .757 save percentage. She finished the year as a Duke Adidas Classic All-Tournament team member.

Harris helped UNC reach new heights as they won national championships in 2006, 2008, and 2009.

During her time at UNC, Harris also trained with the US National team. Since Harris’s UNC days, the goalkeeper has continued to carve out her legacy, winning 2016 NWSL Goalkeeper of the YearGoalkeeper of the Year and being a 2X FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion.

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Michael Busch continues hot hitting streak

Former Tar Heel Michael Busch continues hot hitting streak with the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate OKC Dodgers.

Former Tar Heel [autotag]Michael Busch[/autotag] continues to swing his name into significant league conversations after another extraordinary hitting performance Sunday.

Busch made his major league debut in April for the Los Angeles Dodgers, filling in for Max Muncy, who went on the paternity list. Busch did not take long to get his first hit with the Dodgers, delivering an RBI single as a designated hitter.

Since then, Busch has kept his bat hot, even with going back to the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate OKC Dodgers.

Sunday night, Busch went 3 for 6, including 3 RBIs and a home run. That home run would be Busch’s third homer in four games with OKC.

Busch continues to be one of the hottest prospects in the pipeline, being among the first to be called if needed. The former Tar Heel will be back in action Tuesday against the Salt Lake Bees.

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Former Tar Heel Tre Boston to host new season of TV show

Former Tar Heel Tre Boston and his wife, Cierra Boston, are set to host a new TV show season on the Weather Channel.

Former North Carolina defensive back Tre Boston is taking his talents to the weather channel as he is set to host a new season of “FAST: Home Rescue.”

Boston will co-host with his wife, Cierra Boston, as the two help transform homes impacted by natural disasters in five days. The heartfelt show will display families’ struggles when their homes are devastated while broadcasting the rebuild of homes impacted by severe weather in return bringing new hope in a sorrowful situation.

The show initially aired in September of 2022 with host Cody and Felicia Walker, brother, and sister-in-law of the late Paul Walker.

This show is not Boston’s first rodeo on television. Last season he was a co-host for ACC Network’s “ACC PM.” The show will air Sunday, June 18, at 10 p.m. ET.

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Zac Gallen dominates the Colorado Rockies Tuesday night

Former Tar Heel pitcher Zac Gallen dominates the Colorado Rockies Tuesday night.

Another dominating game is in the books for former Tar Heel [autotag]Zac Gallen[/autotag], who continues to shine as the ace pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Gallen was remarkable last year, finishing 5th in NL Cy Young voting after ending the season with a 12-4 record and an ERA of 2.54. Picking up from where he left off last season, Gallen has shown complete control from the mound. Tuesday night, the ace pitcher shined again by dominating the Colorado Rockies’ hitting lineup.

Gallen pitched six innings, sitting down seven batters with strikeouts while allowing five hits and two walks. The 27-year-old finished the game with an ERA of 2.72, matching his season average in that category.

Gallen has become one of the best pitchers in the MLB and continues to become one of the pivotal Tar Heels in the pros. Gallen was drafted in the third round of the 2016 MLB draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.

Since then, Gallen worked his way to the big stage and slowly garnered attention as one of the pitchers to watch.

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PJ Hairston leads Virginia Dream to its first playoff berth

Former North Carolina Tar Heel PJ Hairston leads Virginia Dream to its first playoff berth.

Former Tar Heel PJ Hairston is back on the court after leading the Virginia Dream to its first playoff berth in the East Coast Basketball league.

It was announced in early May that Hairston would lace up for the Virginia Dream for a chance at a split prize of the one million dollars offered from the TBT. Just a few weeks after, Hairston has already emerged as one of the leaders as he displayed the same sharpshooting skills he once did at UNC.

This is the Dream’s first season in the ECBL, clinching a playoff berth thanks to Hairston’s dominance.

In a seven-game span, Hairston averaged 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.6 blocks per game. The 30-year-old is averaging four 3-pointers per game, collecting two double-doubles in the span.

The former Tar Heel looks ready to compete at the TBT and will be counted on to continue his quick-scoring ability.

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Twitter Reacts to Michael Jordan’s UNC-inspired race car

Twitter Reacts to Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing UNC-inspired race car for the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

UNC fans finally gained a glimpse at 23XI Racing’s new paint scheme Wednesday morning, causing quite a reaction on social media.

In a pre-recorded video, the UNC-inspired race car made its debut on social media, giving fans a chance to see what’s to come Sunday, May 28.

Tyler Reddick will be the driver for the No. 45 car, representing the Jordan brand at Charlotte Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600. The competition is stacked with many notable racers taking part in the event.

The highly anticipated release brought mixed reviews about the car’s design.

The video has racked up 188.1 thousand views on Twitter with UNC on full display. Some felt the car met the hype; others felt it failed in design.

Let’s look at how Twitter reacted to Michael Jordan’s Pantone-inspired race car.

Andre Smith signs with the Atlanta Falcons

Former North Carolina linebacker Andre Smith signs with the Atlanta Falcons.

Former UNC linebacker [autotag]Andre Smith[/autotag] has announced that he will be signing with the Atlanta Falcons and will rock jersey No.59.

Smith took to social media Sunday morning to announce the signing. The former Tar Heel had a short stint with the Tennessee Titans last season, signing with them in November. Smith played five games for the Tar Heels, with his best game coming in week 15 against the Chargers. He played 67% of the snaps, finishing with two tackles.

Smith was drafted to the Panthers in 2018, playing two seasons in Carolina before playing another two in Buffalo. Smith appeared in 51 games, known more for his time with the Bills.

Smith was pivotal at UNC, committing to the school in December 2014 as a three-star recruit. Smith was a tackling machine at UNC, finishing 6th in the ACC for tackles(113) in 2016.

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Twitter reacts to Josh Downs being drafted to the Indianapolis Colts

Twitter reacts to wide receiver Josh Downs being selected 79th overall to the Indianapolis Colts.

UNC fans finally got a chance to see where wide receiver Josh Downs would call his next home with the shifty wide receiver being drafted to the Indianapolis Colts with the 79th pick.

Downs became the 12th wide receiver off the board, and it caused quite a reaction with the Tar Heel now being a target for 4th overall pick Anthony Richardson. A unique team with a quality mix of young and veteran talent makes the designation an ideal landing spot for Downs.

Downs had a monstrous career at UNC, becoming one of the nation’s best wide receivers. He finished his Tar Heel career with 2483 reviving yards, including back-to-back 1k+ receiving yards. Last season he displayed his ability to find the end zone, finishing 7th in the NCAA for receiving touchdowns (11)

After that pick was announced, fans flocked to social media to give their opinion on Downs’s new team and the impact he could bring.

Twitter reacts to Giovani Bernard retiring from the NFL

Twitter reacts to running back Giovani Bernard retiring from the NFL.

Former Tar Heel [autotag]Giovani Bernard[/autotag] has retired from the National Football League after 10 seasons.

Bernard took to social media Friday morning to announce his retirement. The retirement post caught many fans off guard.

Bernard spent eight years with the Cincinnati Bengals and his final two seasons with the Tampa Buccaneers. He played a significant role in Cincinnati, finishing with 3,697 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. In Tampa, with a crowed running back room, Bernard played more of a reserve role with 16 rushes for 86 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Bernard had a breakout freshman campaign with UNC, rushing for 1253 yards and 362 rushing yards for 14 touchdowns. He followed with 1,228 rushing yards and 490 receiving yards for 17 touchdowns during his sophomore season. The highlight reels landed him in the 2013 NFL draft, and he was selected in the second round by the Bengals with the 37th pick.

After the announcement, social media discussed the sudden retirement while giving Bernard flowers for his stellar play. Let us look at how Twitter reacted to the retirement.

Former UNC guard Coby White continues hot trend

Former UNC basketball guard Coby White continues his hot trend for the Chicago Bulls.

Former UNC basketball guard [autotag]Coby White[/autotag] is in the middle of a terrific stretch of basketball for the Chicago Bulls.

White went for 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting and added 11 assists and seven rebounds on Friday.

In his last 14 games, White is averaging 14.2 points on 53.2% from the floor. He’s also averaging 5.2 assists and 1.7 turnovers over that span as well.

After an early-season struggle with consistency and efficiency, there were doubts around the Bulls organization if White was going to be part of their future.

That included — yet again — White being the subject to numerous potential trades around the deadline.

That never swayed the fourth-year guard from staying the course.

“To become a starter? Hell yeah,” White told The Athletic. “That (doesn’t) change. I’m only 23, you know what I’m saying? I’ve got so much room to grow. That goal (doesn’t) change. I want to be a starting guard in the league.”

On the season, White is averaging a career-low 9.7 points per game in 23.5 minutes a game. But, his shooting percentage (44.2) and effective field goal percentage (55) are career highs.

He recently moved past Michael Jordan for fifth on the all-time made 3-pointers list in Bulls history.

The Bulls are locked into the play-in tournament for the playoffs.

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